Four years after the first Starbucks store in the US unionized in 2021, workers across the country are still facing rampant union busting and still fighting for a first contract with the coffee giant. That is why a supermajority of unionized baristas with Starbucks Workers United recently voted to authorize an Unfair Labor Practice strike, which is set to begin on Thursday, Nov. 13, on “Red Cup Day,” in over 25 cities around the US. “Union baristas mean business and are ready to do whatever it takes to win a fair contract and end Starbucks’ unfair labor practices,” says Michelle Eisen, Starbucks Workers United spokesperson and 15-year veteran barista. “If Starbucks keeps stonewalling, they should expect to see their business grind to a halt. The ball is in Starbucks’ court.” In this urgent episode, we speak with Eisen about the impending strike and the state of the yearslong union struggle at Starbucks. 

Additional links/info: 

• “No Contract, No Coffee!” website
• Starbucks Workers United website, Facebook page, Bluesky page, Instagram, and TikTok
• Starbucks Workers United press release: “With 92% ‘Yes’ vote, union Starbucks baristas overwhelmingly authorize ULP strike”
• Dee-Ann Durbin, Associated Press, “Starbucks' union workers plan strike next week unless company agrees to a contract”
• Alina Selyukh, NPR, “Starbucks is closing more stores and laying off 900 workers”
• Michael Sainato, The Guardian, “A year under CEO Niccol: Starbucks workers’ long fight for a union contract”

Featured Music: 

• Jules Taylor, Working People Theme Song

Credits: 

• Audio Post-Production: Jules Taylor 

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-real-news-podcast--2952221/support.

Help us continue producing radically independent news and in-depth analysis by following us and becoming a monthly sustainer.

Follow us on:
Bluesky: @therealnews.com
Facebook: The Real News Network
Twitter: @TheRealNews
YouTube: @therealnews
Back to Episodes